Every year in April, thousands of music lovers flock to Palm Springs for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Simply referred to as Coachella, the event is a celebration of artistic freedom and creative expression. But there’s a darker side to Coachella for victims of personal injury, including sexual assault.
Sexual assaults are unfortunately common at music festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach. Overcrowding, intoxication, and poor security measures are just a few reasons why sexual assaults are so prevalent at music festivals. Regardless, you have rights and legal options as a sexual assault victim so make sure to speak with a Coachella personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
What is sexual assault?
The public perception of sexual assault varies depending on the individual, culture, or country. For some people, sexual assault is rape, i.e., sexual intercourse without consent. But California’s laws concerning sexual assault are much more comprehensive. In short, sexual assault is the commission of a sexual act for the purpose of sexual gratification against the other person’s will.
The above statement is a mouthful, but each component is critical to a successful claim for sexual assault. If we break it down, “sexual acts” include, but are not limited to:
- unwanted groping
- unwanted kissing
- the perpetrator forcing the victim to touch them in a sexual way
The second part of the statement involves consent to the sexual act, which must take place between two non-intoxicated adults. Consent can also be withdrawn at any time, including during the sexual act.
Intoxication is an important point to mention, since overdrinking is very common at Coachella. Many victims, especially when they’re intoxicated themselves, are afraid to call the police or tell others that they’ve been sexually assaulted. They may be afraid of being blamed for the incident, or told “It’s Coachella, what do you expect?
Regardless of where you are or what you were doing, there is no excuse for sexual assault, and our lawyers are here to fight for the compensation you deserve.
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Filing a Coachella Sexual Assault Claim
Along with informing you of your legal rights, the attorneys of Normandie will help you determine who is responsible for your sexual assault. In most cases, it’s the perpetrator or perpetrators who committed the attack. But the law also allows you to sue any party whose gross negligence, intentional conduct, or reckless behavior led to your injury. This is trickier than going after an individual, but music festivals have been sued for personal injury, most recently the Astroworld incident where 10 people died during a massive crowd surge.
The Normandie Law Firm has been handling sexual assault cases at music festivals for many years. Our lawyers look forward to speaking with you and finding out which party or parties are responsible for your pain and suffering.
Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Claims
Coming forward with a sexual assault allegation can be extremely difficult, and most victims wait months, or even years before they seek help. Thankfully, California is one of the most generous states when it comes to how long victims have to report a sex crime. If the incident occurred on or after 1/1/2019, you have up to 10 years from the date of the assault to seek compensation. Victims also have 3 years after the 10-year limit to file a claim if new evidence of the crime is discovered. This is mostly relevant in cases of childhood sexual abuse, where victims are unaware of what happened to them until much later.
On the one hand, this is good news if you’re struggling to come to terms with what happened. On the other hand, time is crucial when it comes to winning a case for sexual assault. The longer you wait, the less likely you are to recall events clearly or have irrefutable evidence of the crime. This is unfortunately why many victims fail to win their case, or have the case thrown out before it can proceed to trial.
Ultimately, any decision regarding the handling of your sexual assault lies with you. But you should make an informed decision by speaking to an attorney and finding out about your legal options. There is never any pressure to proceed with a lawsuit, so please give us a call today.
What Types Compensation Can I Receive?
If you do decide to sue the responsible party, there are several types of compensation you can receive:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Punitive Damages
Most people are familiar with the first two types of compensation. As for pain and suffering, that can include physical, as well as emotional suffering that you would not have endured had you not been sexually assaulted. A common example is psychological trauma or mental health disorders stemming from your assault, which require long-term therapy. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are usually awarded at the court’s discretion when a perpetrator’s conduct is especially reckless or negligent. This form of compensation is awarded on top of a typical settlement, as an extra punishment for the perpetrator.
The types of compensation you’re entitled to will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. That’s where the Normandie Law Firm can help, with our top-rated attorneys who will fight for the full compensation you deserve. However, there is no pressure to file a lawsuit if you don’t believe that it’s in your best interest. We certainly understand the pain you’re going through and that money cannot take away the trauma you’ve suffered. Having said that, monetary compensation can help pay for things like medical bills and help you feel empowered in your journey to recovery. To find out more about the compensation you could receive, please contact our lawyers as soon as possible.
Normandie Law Firm
If you’ve been sexually assaulted at Coachella, contact the attorneys of Normandie Law Firm right away. At Normandie, we believe that every victim has the right to sound legal advice and representation. This is particularly important for sex crime victims, who are often scared and confused about what to do. We know the stress you’re going through, and invite you to come in for a free, no-obligations consultation. This is simply an opportunity to hear your story, answer your questions, and advise you of your available legal options.
Along with free consultations, we offer a Zero-fee guarantee, meaning you never pay any upfront costs. Our fees are strictly based on contingency, so we don’t get paid unless we win your case. If we don’t win your case, you won’t be responsible for any legal fees, period. In short, you can take action right away on your claim without worrying about legal bills on top of everything else you’re going through. To get started on a Coachella sexual assault claim, contact the Normandie Law Firm today.
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